affected by several things: personalities, positions, luck, Lenin's Testament, Power Bases within the party and positions of different leading personnel. and the effects of different events/policies- the 'Lenin Enrollment' (1923-1925) and Lenin's ban on Factionalism in the Decree on Party Unity in 1921 as well as the attendance and publicity of Lenin's Funeral in 21st January 1921.

Stalin:was nicknamed the 'grey blur' and 'comrade card-index' by colleagues because of his time in administration. there was also little controversial to highlight about Stalin which allowed him to move between policies and be able to be supported from either side. joined the SDP in 1901, previous to Bol/Men split, and a minor role in October Revolution. Unlike many other contenders, his peasant upbringing in the harsh community in Georgia's Gori meant he was much more relatable a person that others like Trotsky who was picture as more aloof and seperate from the population. Known for his loyalty to Leninthroughout 1910s to 1920s byt as soon as Lenin falls ill, Stalin deviates, which is picked up and criticised in the Lenin's Testament, which reccomended he should be sacked and replaced quickly, however this is not followed up as the Central Committee woithdraw the publication of the document and so the order is little known and further so, Stalin finds support from Kamenev and Zinoviev who persaude the Politburo from not removing Stalin. Despite this deviance, Stalin is continuously pictured as loyal, as seen by his presence as leading mourner in Lenin's funeral, where is seen as carrying on the mantle of Leninism.

Trotsky: formostly the most 'heroic' due to his prominent leadership of the Red Army (RA) and of the Red's side partake in the Civil War. known as a gifted theorist, who inspired the loyalty of thye troops and his adherence to the ideological development and application of Marxist predicament on to Russia appealed to many of the younger and idealistic members of the Bolsheviks. Even so, Lenin's Testament labelled Trotsky as the 'most outstanding member' of the party and Central Committee (CC). However his personality was too dettached for the broad population of Russia- as a Jew from a fairly well-off family aroused jealousy from those with a more mundane childhood. He was also severaly limited by the traditional anti-semitic belief across Russia. Many old communists held concern about the how genuine Trotsky's ideas and policies were; previously a Menshevik, he joined Lenin's Bolsheviks in January 1917 when he met Bukharin editing the 'Novy Mir' russian newspaper. This was much later than other contenders and so the transition which was relatively close to the October Revolution in 1917, was viewed as opourtunism by some and suspicion by others. His position as Commisar of Military and Naval Affairs (leader of the RA) was helpful and gave him a strong power base and success, but the militant nature of this…